Most common odorants will contaminate fuel cells. Additionally, hydrogen's small molecule and high buoyancy make it challenging to find a compatible odorant. Research is being conducted on fuel cell compatible odorants, but there are none currently in use. Like liquefied natural gas, liquid hydrogen also can’t be odorized due to its cryogenic temperature.

Composite cylinders can be manufactured to standards written by CSA, ASME, and ISO depending on the application and local requirements. Several ISO standards can serve as the basis for composite cylinder approvals within North America.

Leakage/loss depends on the vessel design. Metallic or metallic lined vessels have extremely low permeability and losses through the vessel walls are typically imperceptible. Conversely, Type IV composite vessels which have non-metallic liners are subject to permeation. They are required to meet maximum permeation rates as part of their certification. Fugitive emissions from piping systems can…

Store flammable gas cylinders such as hydrogen, separated from oxidizing (e.g. oxygen), toxic, pyrophoric, corrosive, and reactive Class 2, 3, or 4 gases. Non-reactive gases, such as helium, may be co-located. See codes and standards such as NFPA 2 [7.2.1.1 Incompatible Materials] for further guidance.

Hydrogen flames can be nearly invisible in daylight, especially at low flowrates. The concentration of hydrogen does not have much effect on the color of the flame. Many hydrogen incidents or fires will have a bright orange hue, or even yellow flames. The color is primarily caused by contaminants that is either naturally in the air in certain environments, swept into the air during the release…

Yes, small flowrate vents may be invisible, particularly in daylight. Sometimes it may still be possible to see heat striations in the air from the heat generated by the fire, but it can be difficult to discern at low flowrates. 

The “Hydrogen Ready Appliances Assessment Report” published by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) in February, 2023, is one of the most recent studies on this topic.  Several key items from the report pertaining to this question include the following:

1.    “There appears to be growing consensus that blends of up to 20% or perhaps even 30% are…

A design condition for vent stacks is to always assume that the hydrogen will ignite. The stack musts be designed such that it can withstand those conditions as well as minimize radiation to surrounding personnel and exposures. Although hydrogen fires have comparatively low radiation compared to hydrocarbon fuels, the radiation from large releases from vent stacks can be quite high. Documents…

The purity required will be a function of the end use application. There are a variety of grades of hydrogen that can be purchased. The H2 purity will also vary based on source (GH2 or LH2) and production method. CGA G-5.3, Commodity Specification for Hydrogen, lists several typical purities of both liquid and gaseous hydrogen. Standard GH2 available from most suppliers is 99.95% hydrogen.…

Yes, although not as common as high-pressure gas releases, high-velocity cold H2 gas has ignited during rupture disc and relief valve activation.